Crane An Ounce Shy Of Sweet 16 In KO Round

Saturday, August 21, 2021

Photo: MLF/Rob Matsuura

Mitch Crane won the Knockout Round with a 15-15 stringer.

By MLF Communications Staff

Mitch Crane of Columbus, Miss. brought a five-bass limit to the stage Saturday weighing 15-15 to win the Knockout Round and advance to the final day of competition at the MLF Pro Circuit TITLE Championship on the Mississippi River out of La Crosse, Wis. The final 10 anglers are now set and competition will resume Sunday morning with the Championship Round, where weights are zeroed,and the winner will be determined by the heaviest five-bass limit of the final round.

The Championship Round will feature Group A winner Miles Burghoff of Soddy-Daisy, Tenn., Group B winner Adrian Avena of Vineland, N.J. and the Top 8 anglers from the Knockout Round competing in a final-day shootout for a top prize of up to $235,000.

Here are the totals for the Top 8 from the Knockout Round:

1. Mitch Crane: 15-15
2. Skeet Reese: 14-15
3. Jimmy Washam: 14-15
4. Bobby Lane: 14-13
5. Joshua Weaver: 14-08
6. Zack Birge: 12-15
7. Justin Lucas: 12-09
8. Jimmy Reese: 12-04

“I really enjoy this place and feel like I can read it very well,” said Crane. “I’ve got a great area and I’m just trying to baby it to get what I need and get out. It was best-case scenario today. I’m happy with it, but I just hope I didn’t win the wrong day today.

“There are some deeper stretches on this half-mile area that I’m at,” continued Crane, who just wrapped up his second year on the Pro Circuit. “I’ve been trying to pick one spot and stay there, but if the grass gets too choked out underneath the lily pads, it’s not good. You want clear water, open canopy and lily pads – that’s been the key. And bait, but there’s bait everywhere on the Mississippi River.”

Crane said the spot he’s been fishing is just the edge of the area where he believes the big bass reside.

“I’ve just been pulling up to one little corner and catching them on the corner and leaving. But in practice I didn’t spend 5 minutes in that area before I caught a good one, then shook a giant off. I’m ready to dive off in there. I’m tired of looking at it. They may not be there, but they were in practice.”

With weights zeroing again for the finals, this could be the best opportunity for Crane to get his first major win.

“Getting [the win] would be unbelievable,” said Crane. “It’d be life-changing. I haven’t won a big tournament since the 2016 BFL and I’m ready to win again. I knew if I could just get [to the TITLE], I could have a good finish.

“Not only would that level of win validate my early career, but I’m just ready to get out there and stick a few,” said Crane.

Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. CT on Sunday from Veterans Freedom Park, located at 1 Clinton Street in La Crosse. The final weigh-in will also be held at the park Sunday at 3 p.m., followed by the TITLE belt presentation.

The MLF NOW! broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the action online through the MLF NOW! livestream and coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Knockout Round

1. Mitch Crane -- 15-15 (5)

2. Skeet Reese -- 14-15 (5)

3. Jimmy Washam -- 14-15 (5)

4. Bobby Lane -- 14-13 (5)

5. Joshua Weaver -- 14-08 (5)

6. Zack Birge -- 12-15 (5)

7. Justin Lucas -- 12-09 (5)

8. Jimmy Reese -- 12-04 (5)

The following anglers did not make the cut and will not advance to the Championship Round

9. Ryan Salzman -- 12-02 (5) -- $11,000

10. David Walker -- 12-02 (5) -- $11,000